Can opener with removable plate which carries the cutting element thereon

ABSTRACT

A can opener has a mounting plate which is positioned adjacent the forward face of the can opener frame. The cutting element for the can opener is carried on a plate which is removably attached thereto by a mortise-tenon combination at one side of the plate and by a spring biased latch on the opposite side. The plate is further biased outwardly from the frame to assure proper clearance between the cutting element and the can feed wheel at all times.

United States Patent 91 McLean et a].

[ CAN OPENER WITH REMOVABLE PLATE WHICH CARRIES THE A CUTTING ELEMENTTHEREON [75] Inventors: Robert E. McLean, Raytown; Joseph J. Farkas,Kansas City, both of Mo.

[73] Assignee: Rival Manufacturing Company,

Kansas City, Mo.

[22] Filed: Aug. 28, 1970 211 Appl. No: 67,677

[52] US. Cl. ....30/4 R [51] Int. Cl. ..B67b 7/38 [58] Field of Search..30/4, 9, 8.5

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,897,589 8/1959 Bodle..30/8.5 X

[ Mar. 27, 1973 12/1962 Smith ..30/4 R 3,066,409 3,487,542 1/1970Hamwi..... ..30 4 R 3,538,787 11 1970 Briar ..1 ..30/4 R x PrimaryExaminer-Othell M. Simpson Assistant ExaminerGary L. SmithAtt0rney-Sc0field, Kokjer, Scofield & Lowe [5 7] ABSTRACT A can openerhas a mounting plate which is positioned adjacent the forward face ofthe can opener frame. The cutting element for the can opener is carriedon a plate which is removably attached thereto by a mortise-tenoncombination at one side of the plate and by a spring biased latch on theopposite side. The plate is further biased outwardly from the frame toassure proper clearance between-the cutting element and the can feedwheel at all times.

8 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures I CAN OPENER WITH REMOVABLE PLATE WHICH CARRIES THE CUTTING ELEMENT THEREON BACKGROUND AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OFTHE INVENTION This invention relates generally to power operated canopeners having a movable mounting plate located adjacent the forwardface of the can opener frame. With such can openers, it is generallyrequired that either the mounting plate, which is designed to carry thecutting element thereon, or the can feed wheel be movable relative tothe frame (alternately, either'or both may be movable) so that the canmay be inserted in and removed from the normal operating positions inthe can opener.

The present invention includes the concept of mounting the cuttingelement relative to the carrier plate on a removable plate. Theremovable plate is attached to the carrier plate by a mortise-tenoncombination (the tenon extending from removable plate and beingpositionable within the mortise in the carrier plate) on one side and bya spring biased latch located on the opposite side of the removableplate. It is contemplated that thecarrier plate be appropriatelyembossed so that the removable plate fits within the the removable platein a direction with respect to the 1 feed wheel, thereby insuringoptimum clearance between the cutting element and the feed wheel.

The removable plate may be removed from the carrier plate by manuallymoving the spring biased latch away from the edge of the removableplate. The spring biased pin member then operates to pop the removableplate out of the recessed area within the mounting plate so that oneside edge of the removable plate is easily grasped and the tenon pulledout of the mortise, thereby permitting complete removal of the combinedremovable plate and the cutting element.

The removable plate is reinserted by locating the tenon within themortise and aligning any appropriate apertures in the plate with canguide elements or the like so that the edge of the plate opposite thetenon comes in contact with the spring biased latch. The outer surfaceof the spring biased latch is beveled or inclined with respect toitsforwardmost point so that when the removable plate edge-contacts sameand is forced inwardly, the latch moves against the spring until theremovable plate is located within the recessed area in the mountingplate. Thespring biased latch is then freed to once again move laterallyacross the carrier plate face to engage the side edge portion of theremovable plate, locking same in its operative position with respect tothe carrier plate.

An object of the invention is to provide a power operated can openerhaving a unique means for removing the cutting element.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in a power operated canopener having an operating lever for effecting the relative movement ofthe cutting element and/or the can feed wheel, a uniquely constructedremovable plate carrying the cutting element thereon.

rugged, and simple to operate removable plate which carries the cuttingelement thereon and which will not become misaligned or otherwise becomeinadvertently positioned so as to interfere with the normal efficientoperationof the can opener. j

A further object of the invention is to provide a power. operated canopener having a removable plate which carries the cuttingelement thereonand which is retained in its operating position by a uniquelyconstructed and cooperating spring biased latch. It is a feature of theinvention that the latch structure is appropriately shaped to bothretain the latch in its operating position and to provide a cammingsurface to force the movement of the latch during the reassembly of theremovable plate.

' A still further object of the invention is to provide a power operatedcan opener having a uniquely constructed removable plate which carriesthe cutting element thereon and which is constantly urged in anappropriate direction to insure the proper operating spacing betweenthecan feed wheel and the cutting element.

Other and further objects of the-invention, together with the featuresof novelty appurtenant thereto, will appear in the course of thefollowing. description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the accompanying'drawing, whichforms a part of the specification and is to be read in conjunctiontherewith and in which like reference numerals are employed to indicatelike parts in thevarious views:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a carrier plate with the removablecutter plate attached thereto;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the carrier plate shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the carrier plate with theremovable cutter mounting plate removed therefrom and with the springbiased latch removedto show the associated compression spring inelevation;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the removable cutter mountingplate alone;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 5'5 of FIG. 3in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing a front elevational view ofthe upper portion of a power operated can opener utilizing the removablecutter mounting plate;

FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view of the spring biased latch; and i FIG.8 is a side elevational view of the latch shown in FIG. 7. 4

Turning now more particularly to the drawing, reference numeral 10 (seeFIG. 6) generally represents the forward frame of atypical electricallypowered can opener and provides a suitable support on its rear side fora conventional electric motor. A suitable reduction gear train isoperable to rotate shaft 1 1 (which extends through a suitable bearingedaperture in frame 10) and correspondingly, a can feed wheel 12. Theupper portion of the can opener is provided with a carrier plate 13which operates in a manner similar to a plate 36 used in the can openershown and described in the Robert E. McLean U.S. Pat. No. 3,314,144,owned by the same assignee as the instant patent application.

This carrier plate is designed to further operate in conjunction withoperating lever 14, and to provide the suitable motion relative to thecan feed wheel so that the can opener performs both power-pierce andautomatic shutoff in a manner similar to that described in theabove-mentioned patent. Suitable gearing and motor means rotate shaft 11in a manner similar to that described in the '144 patent to provide thesuitable motion to can feed wheel 12. To obtain the suitable motion ofthe instant structure, operating lever 14 is interconnected with carrierplate 13 and the aforementioned gearing and motor means, as is lever 30interconnected with plate 26 and the gearing and motor means of the '144patent. Therefore, by moving lever 14, plate 13 is moved, which in turnmoves the cutting element 29 to and from the feed wheel 11. It should beunderstood that while the later described removable cutter mountingplate has been shown in conjunction with carrier plate 13, any poweroperated can opener using a similar type of cutting element couldutilize the subject invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the rear side of the carrier plate 13 has a lever 52pivotally mounted thereto by can guide 51 and which carries the movablecan guide 53in a manner similar to that described with respect to the'144 patent mentioned above. Further, carrier plate 13 contains theoversized opening 15 which permits can feed wheel 12 and. its associatedshaft to project therethrough so as to accommodate the movement ofcarrier plate 13. Further, the clearance opening 16 permits thedescribed vertical movement of can guide 53.

FIG. 3 shows that a substantial portion of the lefthand side of carrierplate 13 is recessed above and to the right of oversized opening 15.This recessed area, generally indicated by the numeral 17, includes theraised rear surfaces 170 and contains the clearance opening 16 formovable can guide 53. It is also appropriately apertured for the fixedpivot axis can guide 51 to extend therethrough. The lower right-handportion (when seen from the front) of the recessed area 17 contains acircular opening 170 which will be described in more detail later inconjunction with a spring biased pin member.

The above-mentioned opening 170 is appropriately located relative to therecessed area 17 so that a spring biased tapered pin member 18 mayextend therethrough. The biasing of pin member 18 is accomplished byleaf spring 19 (see FIG. 2) which is fixedly attached at 19a to a raisedboss 20 extending from the rear surface of carrier plate 13. The freeend of leaf spring 19 interconnects with the reduced diameter endportion 18a of the tapered pin 18 and constantly urges the tapered pinmember through opening 170 in a forward direction. It is contemplatedthat the side end portions of boss 20 have the raised ears 20a extendingoutwardly therefrom to fixedly locate the spring with respect to theopening 170. Further, it should be noted that leaf spring 19 isappropriately shaped so that when pin member 18 is not being forcedrearwardly, the spring will seat against the rear surface of carrierplate 13 adjacent the opening 17c.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 6, the carrier plate has a spring biased latch 21located thereon and which is located in a slightly raised boss 23 andwith an elliptical opening 24 spaced immediately to the left of therecessed or spring loading area 22.

The latch itself is substantially hollow (see FIG. 7)

with the outer surface thereof having a preselected shape to cooperateboth functionally and aesthetically with the remainder of the canopener; The hollow 'interior of latch 21 includes a boss 24a which spansthe side portions of the interior and provides a base for compressionspring 25 to seat against. A pair of posts 26 are integrally formed withthe latch and extend past the sliding edge surface to further locatespring 25 and to contact the upper and lower horizontal surfaces ofrecessed area 22 with its respective upper and lower surfaces therebyfurther insuring the proper direction of travel of the latch relative tothe carrier plate. The spring 25 is designed to seat with its right-handend against the right-hand vertical edge of recessed area 22 and to becompressed against the transverse boss 24a so as to constantly urgelatch 21 toward the solid line position as shown in F IGS. l and 6.

An internally threaded boss 27 extends-outwardly from the hollowinterior of latch 21 and past the inner sliding edge of same. Boss 27 isdesigned to extend through elliptical opening 24 in boss 23 and to bethreadably engaged by the screwwasher combination generally indicated bythe numeral 28b in FIG. 2. As therefore seen, the boss screw-washercombination permits the latch .21 to slide within the confines of theelliptical slot and further acts, along with posts 26, as a guide meansto insure that latch 21 moves in the prescribed horizontal planerelative to the carrier plate 13 and the slightly raised boss 23.

Latch 21 is shaped to'provide both a latching surface for the engagementof the later described removable cutter mounting plate and to beappropriately manually manipulated to permit the removability of thecutter mounting plate. In this regard, the left-hand end portion oflatch 21 (when viewed from the front) is inclined at 21a and finallyterminated in a substantially perpendicular inner edge portion 21b. Thisinclined surface (21a) extends from the forwardmost apex of the outersurface of latch 21 and flares both outwardly and downwardly therefromto form substantially the forward surface 21c of the latch. Theremaining three exposed sides of the latch are tapered downwardly fromthe respective edges of the outer surface 21c to complete therectangular based trapezoidal shape pyramid that substantially comprisessame.

Turning now to the structure of the removable cutter mounting platehereinafter identified by the numeral 28, this plate is shown inelevation and removed from the carrier plate 13 in FIG. 4 and asattached to carrier plate 13 in FIGS. 1 and 6. The cutter mounting plate28 will support cutter wheel 29, same being mounted for free rotation onthe usual stud or arbor anchored in the plate and held on the arbor byscrew 30.

In the disclosed embodiment, the cutter mounting plate is appropriatelyshaped and contoured to optimally locate cutter wheel 29 with respect tothe oversize opening through which can feed wheel 12 extends. In thismanner, the relative movement between the can feed wheel and the cuttermounting element is accounted for. Furthermore, as seen in the views,the mounting boss 29a (for cutter wheel 29) is appropriately formed toco-operate with the clearance opening 16 so that the movement of movablecan guide 53 may be accomplished without obstruction. The left-handvertical edge of cutter mounting plate 28 has a suitably sized tenon 31projecting therefrom to removably fit interiorly of a mortise openinggenerally designated by the numeral 32 (see FIGS. 3 and 5). Thistenon-mortise combination appropriately locates the left-hand edge ofthe plate and insures that the first lower horizontal edge 28a of theplate 28 is appropriately aligned with respect to the recess 17. Inorder to assure orientation of plate 28 in the proper vertical plane,the upper horizontal edge of recess 17 is provided with a pair ofsubstantially rectangular bosses 17a which support and position theupper inner edge surface of plate 28 when assembled within the recessedarea 17. The fixed can guide 51 is permitted to extend through anelliptical opening 33 in plate28, same being so shaped to permit easyplate insertion and removal. The lower right-hand corner of plate 28when assembled on carrier plate 13 is biased outwardly by the taperedpin member 18 which contacts the inner lower surface of the platethereby flexing the lower right corner of plate (28) outwardly. Thus,plate 28 is pressed firmly against the latching surface of latch 21.Since cutter wheel 29' is rotatably supported by plate 28, the properoutward alignment with respect to can feed wheel 12 is insured. Thespring biased pin member (18) also serves to force the right-hand edge(when seen from the front) of plate 28 outwardly once latch 21 has beendisengaged therefrom as will be described.

In operation, cutter mounting plate 28 is held in an operative positionon carrier plate 13 by the combined effects of the tenon-mortisecombination (numerals 31 and 32, respectively), the embossed portions ofrecessed area 17 (17a), by the pressure applied to the interior lowerright-hand edge surface of plate 28 by the spring biased pin member 18in the manner described above and finally, by the left-hand innersurface edge portion of the spring biased latch 21. Accordingly, theoperation of the can opener for can opening, power-pierce and automaticshutoff may be accomplished in a manner substantially similar to thatdescribed in the McLean U.S. Pat. No. 3,314,144. It should be noted thatthe compression spring 25 is constantly urging the latch 21 into theengaged or plate locked position, further assuring that the plate willnot inadvertently detach from the can opener. Also, the spring biasedpin member 18 is urging the plate forwardly into a latch contactingplane, thereby facilitating latching by permitting movement .of theplate slightly beyond the latched position, but urging the plateoutwardly against the latch when in place. Such outward urging of plate28 by pin 18 maintains the said plate 28 in such plane as to preventclashing of the cutter wheel 29 with the feed wheel 12 should same beseparated and then returned to the overlapping condition when a can isnot engaged in the can opener.

When it is desired to remove the plate carrying the cutting element forcleaning purposes or other associated reasons, it is necessary tomanually engage the left-hand inclined surface 21a of latch 21 and pushsame in a substantially horizontal plane to the right until theleft-hand edge of the latch separates from the right-hand edge surfaceof plate 28. At this time, spring 25 will be further compressed, howeverit will operate to move the latch back to its normal at rest position (adistance determined by the length of elliptical opening 24) once thelatch has been released.

With the latch 21 no longer contacting the outer edge surface of plate28, spring biased pin member 18 immediately reacts under the force ofleaf spring 19 to' pop the right-hand edge of plate 28 out of therecessed area 17. It is a simple matter to manually engage the upperright-hand edge of plate 28 (or anywhere along the right-hand edge ofplate 28) and and prevents vertical movement of the right-hand side ofplate 28 relative to carrier plate 13. Also, can guide 51 limitsmovement of plate 28 to the right relative to carrier plate 13. Ofcourse, the engagement of tenon 31 of plate 28 in the mortise 32 ofcarrier plate 13 prevents vertical movement of the left-hand side ofplate 28 relative to carrier plate 13 as well as limiting movement ofplate 28.to the left relative to carrier plate 13.

When it is desired to reinstall cutter mounting plate 28 on the canopener, it merely requires that the tenon 31 be first inserted inmortise 32 and that the right side of plate 28 be swung so that theopening 33 thereof telescopes over fixed can guide 51. The elongate edgeof fixed can guide 51 acts as a guide with an edge of opening 33 actingas a follower to provide a camming action that automatically aligns theright edge of plate 28 for camming engagement with inclined end surface21a of latch 21 as the said plate 28 is further swung into latchedcondition. In this relative location, a slight amount of inward manualpressure on the forward right-hand surface of plate 28, forces or camsthe spring biased latch 21 to the right so that continued pressure andmovement of the plate completely locates the right-hand edge of plate 28within recess 17 (and also forces pin member 18 rearwardly against theforce of leaf spring 19). Compression spring 25 will now snap" orotherwise vigorously return the spring biased latch 21 to a positionengaging the outer surface of the plate, thereby fixedly locating theremovable plate within the recessed area 17. Pin member 18 .reacts asmentioned above to force the lower right-hand edge portion of the plateoutwardly with same firmly seating against the inner left-hand edgesurface of latch 21, thereby optimally locating cutter wheel 29 withrespect to the can feed wheel 12.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one welladapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forthtogether with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherentto the structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are ofutility and may be employed without reference to other features andsubcombinations.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention withoutdeparting from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matterherein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. I

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. In a can opener having a frame, a cutting element mounted on saidframe, a feed wheel rotatably mounted on said frame, means for rotatingsaid feed wheel, and means for moving at least one of said cuttingelements and said feed wheel to and from the other, the improvementcomprising:

a plate member supporting and carrying said cutting element, and

means for removably mounting said plate member on said frame, saidmounting-means including a latch accessible from the exterior of saidcan opener, said latch having a first position which contacts and holdssaid plate member to said frame and a second position spaced away fromsaid first position which permits said plate carrying said cuttingelement to be removed from said frame, and said latch being mounted onsaid can opener in both said positions and for sliding movementtherebetween.

2. The combination as in claim 1 including means for biasing said platemember away from said frame and into contact with said latch, saidbiasing means operable to assure proper spacing between said cuttingelement and said can feed wheel as said element and wheel are moved intooverlapping relationship when a can is not engaged in the can opener.

3. The combination as in claim 1 including. a carrier member mounted onthe front of said frame and contoured to avoid interference with saidfeed wheel during movement of said carrier member, and operating leverinterconnecting with said carrier member, said removable mounting meansmounting said plate member on said carrier member, said operating leveroperable to effect the movement of said carrier member and saidremovable plate carrying said cutter element toward and away from saidfeed wheel.

4. The invention as in claim 1 wherein said latch is spring biasedtoward said first position, said latch having a camming surface thereon,said camming surface contacting an edge of said removable plate whensaid plate is being reassembled on said frame, said plate 7 edgecontacting said camming surface and operable to move said latch towardssaid second position by the application of manual pressure theretoagainstthe spring normally biasing said latch toward said firstposition.

5. In a can opener having a frame, a cutter carrying element mounted onsaid frame, a feed wheel rotatably mounted on said frame, means forrotating said feed wheel, and means for moving at least one of saidcutting element and said feed wheel to and away from the other, theimprovement comprising:

a carrier plate positioned ad acent the front of said frame andcontoured to avoid interference with said feed wheel during movementthereof,

a plate member supporting and carrying said cutting element thereon,

means for removably mounting said plate member carrying said cuttingelement on said carrier plate, and

an operating lever, said operating lever being operable to effectmovement of said carrier plate to move said cutting element toward andaway from said feed wheel when said cutting element is removably mountedon said carrier plate.

- 6. The invention as in claim 5 wherein said mounting means includes alatch accessible from the exterior of said can opener, said latch havinga first position which holds said plate member to said carrier memberand a second position which is out of contact with said removable plateand permits said removable plate carrying said cutting element to beremoved from said carrier plate.

7. The combination as in claim 5 including means for biasing said platemember away from said carrier plate and into contact with said latch,said biasing means operable to assure proper spacing between saidcutting element and said can feed wheel as said element and wheel aremoved into overlapping relationship when a can is not engaged in the canopener.

8. The invention as in claim 6 wherein said latch is spring biasedtoward said first position in which it holds said plate, said latchhaving a camming surface thereon, said camming surface contacting anedge of said removable plate when said plate is being reassembled onsaid frame, said plate edge contacting said camming surface and operableto move said latch towards said second position by theapplication ofmanual pressure thereto against force of the spring normally biasingsaid latch toward said first position.

1. In a can opener having a frame, a cutting element mounted on saidframe, a feed wheel rotatably mounted on said frame, means for rotatingsaid feed wheel, and means for moving at least one of said cuttingelements and said feed wheel to and from the other, the improvementcomprising: a plate member supporting and carrying said cutting element,and means for removably mounting said plate member on said frame, saidmounting means including a latch accessible from the exterior of saidcan opener, said latch having a first position which contacts and holdssaid plate member to said frame and a second position spaced away fromsaid first position which permits said plate carrying said cuttingelement to be removed from said frame, and said latch being mounted onsaid can opener in both said positions and for sliding movementtherebetween.
 2. The combination as in claim 1 including means forbiasing said plate member away from said frame and into contact withsaid latch, said biasing means operable to assure proper spacing betweensaid cutting element and said can feed wheel as said element and wheelare moved into overlapping relationship when a can is not engaged in thecan opener.
 3. The combination as in claim 1 including a carrier membermounted on the front of said frame and contoured to avoid interferencewith said feed wheel during movement of said carrier member, andoperating lever interconnecting with said carrier member, said removablemounting means mounting said plate member on said carrier member, saidoperating lever operable to effect the movement of said carrier memberand said removable plate carrying said cutter element toward and awayfrom said feed wheel.
 4. The invention as in claim 1 wherein said latchis spring biased toward said first position, said latch having a cammingsurface thereon, said camming surface contacting an edge of saidremovable plate when said plate is being reassembled on said frame, saidplate edge contacting said camming surface and operable to move saidlatch towards said second position by the application of manual pressurethereto against the sprIng normally biasing said latch toward said firstposition.
 5. In a can opener having a frame, a cutter carrying elementmounted on said frame, a feed wheel rotatably mounted on said frame,means for rotating said feed wheel, and means for moving at least one ofsaid cutting element and said feed wheel to and away from the other, theimprovement comprising: a carrier plate positioned adjacent the front ofsaid frame and contoured to avoid interference with said feed wheelduring movement thereof, a plate member supporting and carrying saidcutting element thereon, means for removably mounting said plate membercarrying said cutting element on said carrier plate, and an operatinglever, said operating lever being operable to effect movement of saidcarrier plate to move said cutting element toward and away from saidfeed wheel when said cutting element is removably mounted on saidcarrier plate.
 6. The invention as in claim 5 wherein said mountingmeans includes a latch accessible from the exterior of said can opener,said latch having a first position which holds said plate member to saidcarrier member and a second position which is out of contact with saidremovable plate and permits said removable plate carrying said cuttingelement to be removed from said carrier plate.
 7. The combination as inclaim 5 including means for biasing said plate member away from saidcarrier plate and into contact with said latch, said biasing meansoperable to assure proper spacing between said cutting element and saidcan feed wheel as said element and wheel are moved into overlappingrelationship when a can is not engaged in the can opener.
 8. Theinvention as in claim 6 wherein said latch is spring biased toward saidfirst position in which it holds said plate, said latch having a cammingsurface thereon, said camming surface contacting an edge of saidremovable plate when said plate is being reassembled on said frame, saidplate edge contacting said camming surface and operable to move saidlatch towards said second position by the application of manual pressurethereto against force of the spring normally biasing said latch towardsaid first position.